Frosty morning. Brought a large bale of hay out to the cows. They are out in the elements all winter, but if they have enough hay to eat they will keep themselves warm. #grownostr #farmlife #cows

I met a lovely woman. Thirteen weeks pregnant. Recently moved to 11 acres in my county. Tbey are on undeveloped land (no home) and currently living in a trailer until husband can build a cabin. She plans to have a home birth because she is unwilling to entrust herself and her newborn to our "healthcare" system. I admire her courage and am not sure I could do the same. I had my babies 20 + years ago. I am coming to understand that I should have questioned the system more. Question everything. Be courageous. #grownostr

Dinner time for piglets. It's a full-contact sport. This breed is callwd Large Black, a heritage breed that thrives on pasture and living in the woods. This breed was a favorite with small farms until our food system became industrialized after WWII. They are endangered, but the number of breeders are increasing.

A woman visited the farm yesterday. She and her husband moved to our county two months ago. She was seeking pasture raised, organic, no-soy, no-corn, non-GMO chicken. Another local farmer pointed her in my direction. I was able to help. We connected as I walked her around the farm. Local economy. Build community.

When you have to do chores outside in freezing temperatures find joy in the frost.

Evening chores: Feed the livestock ✔ Walk the dogs ✔ Enjoy the changing sky ✔

Evening chores bring their own rewards. #grownostr #farmlife

Raise your hand if you read "Lord of the Flies" in high school. I've decided to call these two cuties Hope and Joy. But I can't tell them apart so they will be known as Hopenjoy

After two days in a stall for new momma to recover and get used to the idea of baby, they have returned to the rest of the flock. Prima and baby Burke are doing well. Burke will briefly lose track of mom and go around to all the ewes asking "are you my mommy?" Prima tracks him down and teaches him to come to her. The ewes will call to their babies and recognize the voice of their lamb/s. But with two days by themselves, Burke hasn't had to find mom by her call. I'm sure he will have it all sorted out soon #grownostr #farmlife

Good morning. Have a great Monday!

Sunday nap time. #farmlife

Farm adventure: Husband goes down to the barn this morning to find a new lamb and the new mom not letting him nurse. She is a first time mom and kept moving away from him and kicking him away. All the other sheep were rejecting it as well. Baby was baaa-ing. Mom was baaa-ing. We needed to get to church. Husband picks up mom (no small feat) and I carry baby to a smaller enclosed stall. We hope that time together will allow them to sort this out. Come home from church to find mom has escaped the stall and baby got itself wedged in a corner. Reunite them in the stall. Baby is persistent. Finally, mom let's him nurse. She has got to be uncomfortable! Mom has settled down and is now accepting her new boy. Looks like they worked this out. I have named him Burke. (Cardinal Burke) He was rejected by his mother because she did not understand his role. But his persistence caused her to relent and bring him into the fold.

My little church makes the Advent wreath every year from scratch. Greens are collected from different homesteads. A handful of ladies gather to assemble the wreath while enjoying eachothers company. It is stunning in it's simplicity. A beautiful tradition.

Quiet, foggy morning. Hoping for some solid rain today after a very dry fall. Our farm is not hooked up to city water. We rely on our well, water catchment and ponds to take care of all our water needs. One becomes plugged into nature when they so intimately rely on it. #grownostr #farmlife #regenerativefarming

A cold and rainy day calls for indoor projects on the farm. I finally tackled my mullein infused oil making this Mullein Eucalyptus Chest Rub. Olive oil is infused with mullein leaves and flowers for several weeks. The leaves are strained from the oil. I heat the oil and melt in beeswax. Essential oils are added then it is poured into tins. I will use it for coughs and congestion and give most away to friends and family. Here is the recipe:

The Nerdy Farm Wife

How to Make Mullein Salve (3 recipes)

Learn how to make 3 basic mullein salves that are helpful for dry skin, minor scrapes and scratches, and a chest rub for coughs.